Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplements

ORIGIN (Outcome Reduction with Initial Glargine Intervention), a long-term international clinical trial conducted on 12,537 people in 40 countries, over a period of six years, assessed the effect of therapy with omega 3 fatty acid supplements (provided as Omega-3 ethyl ester 90 or Omacor) versus placebo on death from cardiovascular disease in high risk people with dysglycemia (i.e. either pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes).

Trial Features

• Participants were randomized to receive either 1g/day of omega-3 fatty acid supplement or matching placebo.
• Dietary intake of omega-3 through fish or other marine product consumption was not restricted.
• Primary outcome status was known for 99.3% participants at the end of the study.
• Adherence was similar between both study ams, with 88% of participants taking study drug at the end of the study.

Trial Results

• There was no difference in the incidence of cardiovascular death between the omega-3 fatty acid supplement and placebo groups (9.1% versus 9.3%; P= 0.72).
• Omega-3 supplements did reduce triglyceride levels by 0.16 mmol/l compare to placebo (P<0.001).

Significance

• Supplementation with one gram of Omega-3 fatty acids did not prevent death from cardiovascular causes in this group of people at high risk for cardiovascular disease
• It is not known if higher doses in this group and/or the same dose in a lower risk group is effective.
• The impact of dietary omega-3 intake remains unknown.

Healthcare Professionals see ORIGIN Trial Overview

Slide set - Omega-3